Top-10 cell phone gaffes

SpinVox, a London-based company that offers voice mail-to-text conversion technology, doesn't hide the fact that cell phones can be downright irritating at times. Today the company released the results of a poll of the most annoying cell phone practices as chosen by SpinVox users. Though most of the results aren't particularly surprising--loud talkers topped the list--a few of the practices I never would have thought of as annoying.

For example, "taste blasters," or people who showcase their musical taste through their ringtones, ranked above individuals who talk on the phone in restaurants (aka "chow chatters"). In my opinion, the latter is a far bigger breach of basic etiquette. Also, the study cited "spinal tappers," or people who use a loud speakerphone, as more annoying as those insufferable fools who block a checkout or takeaway line while yakking on their phone. Again, I'd choose the latter as the more obnoxious.

The most amusing practice came in at no. 10 on the list. It was "can conversationalists," or talkers who insist on having that all-important conversation in a public restroom. I've said it before and I'll say it again, that's just gross. The two practices that I didn't expect to be on the list were "walk 'n scrollers," or people who scroll through their contacts list while walking through a public place, and "free samplers," or users who test each of their phone's ringtones with the volume turned up high (I admit I've been guilty of both). When I think about it, those do sound pretty annoying but I'd be more inclined to put driving with a cell phone, using a cell phone in a theater or at the gym, and obsessive Bluetooth users on the list.

SpinVox does offer suggestions for remedying each of the behaviors, but I've become more resigned to believe that annoying cell phone habits will never disappear completely. Still, I'd love to hear your comments on which cell phone practices you think are the worst.

[Pomble]

Stir Crazy phone gaffe

A mate of mine had just come out of prison (after a year) and phoned me from the gates. He ended the call (I presume unintentionally) with "Love you! Bye". I don't look like his wife AT ALL (much taller and - again I presume - much more male than she is). Hasn't called me since - wonder why?

[caldwdo]

All things Japanese

After working in Japan for over two months there is a great deal of difference in their cell phone use compared to USA. All to the good. Nobody uses their cell phone to talk on train/subway cars, just for text messaging or playing games. And there is little conversation between people and it's very muted. It is very quite. When riding the "bullet train" one is asked to make or take calls between the cars. Yes, you can make a cell phone call from Japan to USA while traveling at hundreds of kilometers an hour. And from deep underground in the Tokyo subway stations. Nobody wears a "blue tooth" headset so there is no phone calling without using a phone. No body calls in the public restrooms or in the restaurants. And I don't remember too many cell phones ringing. They must all be on mute. Japan can be a role model for other nations in the their public cell phones usage.

[Interpolnyc]

irritating

i my opinion the most irritating things, are first of all, when im on the phone
with somebody, friend, girlfriend, ect. and they cant stop doing other things, i.e.
watching tv or cleaning, sometimes its ok, but when im trying to talk to
someone, and they simply are not listening because they cant stop watching lost,
than they need to not be talking on the phone, but number one thing i cant
stand is when people, have their phones on and they have to yell into them, i
think you coined them "spinal-tappers" but, to me thats the most irritating,
because its so jarring, to have someone yelling at a phone....in a public place.

[kristofwalker]

hey. this is such a cool article. I love it. i hate when ppl talk in the bathroom on the phone, this is so gross. i work on <a href="http://yodaphone.com/t10.aspx">Top Ten Cell Phones</a> project so when you have a chance check it out.